The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 129 Your subject...will respectfully follow Father's teachings!
“From childhood, I have been taught that ‘the people are the most important’ and ‘benevolent governance’. But when those vivid tragedies appeared before my eyes, I realized that those principles… those principles were so pale and powerless.”

"Your subject does not know why they are like this, nor does he know how many of the court's decrees can truly benefit them, rather than being exploited by clerks and powerful families at every turn."

"Your subject knows nothing... If I were to become the ruler in the future, what would I do to reduce such tragedies as much as possible..."

He lowered his head again, his voice low.

"Since waking from that dream, these questions have weighed on my mind like a boulder, and I cannot shake them off."

"Your subject has pondered this repeatedly, consulted historical records, and observed the government, but I feel more and more that the word 'people' carries immense weight and contains profound implications."

"It's far more complicated than I previously thought."

“Your subject… Your subject is troubled by this, unable to find a solution, and has even fallen ill. This is your subject’s ‘heart ailment’.”

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Li Shimin stared blankly at his eldest son, his usual dignified and profound expression cracking for the first time, replaced by extreme shock.

He never imagined that the Crown Prince's "heart ailment" would originate from such a dream.

And the re-examination and profound confusion about "the people" brought about by dreams.

It wasn't about being preoccupied with whether the position of heir was secure, nor was it about wallowing in one's own disability and pain, but rather... it was about stepping outside the confines of the Eastern Palace.

He turned his attention to the common people at the very bottom of the empire, whom he, Li Shimin, was well aware of, but who he might not always keep in mind.
What is the people?
Since he ascended the throne, has he not pondered this question?

He reduced taxes and levies, encouraged agriculture and sericulture, rectified official corruption, and strived to restore people's livelihoods. He believed he had done a decent job.

However, the "people" he was thinking about was more of a holistic concept, representing the source of taxation, the foundation of military service, and the basis for the stability of the country.

When he implemented policies, he considered the big picture, the balance, and the long-term interests of the empire.

What the Emperor Gaozu showed in the Crown Prince's dream was the individual, specific, and crushed suffering of each person beneath the whole.
These are the tragedies of "selling wives and children" that are often glossed over in historical records and reports!

Li Shimin had never faced this issue from this perspective, so directly and so cruelly.

His teachings to the crown prince, and even his own philosophy of being a ruler, seem to be based on a kind of "condescending" bestowal of favors and control.

The prince's bewilderment stemming from his dream subtly points to a more fundamental, yet also more difficult, direction.

Li Shimin was also curious at this moment: was his father the kind of person who would ask such questions?
A hint of doubt subconsciously arose in Li Shimin's mind.

He knew his father too well.

Li Yuan was born into a noble family in Guanzhong. Although he lived through turbulent times, his way of thinking was more like that of a powerful clan, focusing on the general trend, balance, and the transfer of power between his family and the world.

A benevolent ruler might be moved by the specific and subtle suffering of ordinary people at the bottom of society.

But it's extremely rare to question a crown prince so directly and sharply, let alone with that "painful look."

In his later years, the Emperor was more immersed in the frustration of being forced to abdicate and indulging in pleasure. He never had such profound and deep concerns that pointed directly to the essence of governing the country.
But if Emperor Gaozu hadn't appeared to him in a dream, where would Li Chengqian have gotten his insights and thoughts?

This is a depth that cannot be achieved simply by flipping through history books or listening to the advice of a few officials.

The descriptions of the tragic situation of "selling one's wife and children" as if they were firsthand experiences, and the criticisms of the "pale and powerless" teachings of sages, could hardly be faked so genuinely unless some kind of opportunity truly touched the depths of his soul.

Is someone pulling strings behind the scenes?

That "master" who repeatedly displayed astonishing skills?
But if such a person truly exists, what would be his purpose in instructing the crown prince in these ways?
Is it to guide the crown prince towards the true path of a "wise ruler"?
Li Shimin's gaze was like the finest comb, scrutinizing every subtle expression on Li Chengqian's face, trying to find a flaw.

But what he saw was only a kind of exhaustion as if crushed by a huge problem, and a somewhat empty heaviness after breaking free from the narrow mindset of the past.

This doesn't seem fake.

In any case, the fact that the Crown Prince has begun to think about these issues, and thinks about them so "profoundly," is not necessarily a bad thing from the perspective of the heir apparent.

At least, he no longer focused solely on his foot ailment and his father's moods, nor was he preoccupied with court intrigues.

Perhaps... this is a growing pain?

Suppressing the doubts surging in his heart, Li Shimin knew that the most important thing at this moment was to guide and control the direction of the conversation.

He could not allow the crown prince to continue to be immersed in this "confusion" that questioned the existing order.

His thinking must be brought back to the orthodox and controllable track of the empire.

"I see……"

Li Shimin spoke slowly, his voice carrying a deliberately cultivated calmness and understanding, breaking the silence in the hall.

"You can think of the common people and worry about the foundation of the country because of a dream. This heart is... truly precious."

He first set the tone, affirming the legitimacy of the Crown Prince's thinking and behavior, and even elevating it to the level of "concern for the foundation of the country".

Li Chengqian raised his head slightly, a glimmer of understanding appearing in his eyes at just the right moment.

"Your imperial grandfather..." Li Shimin paused for a moment, as if reminiscing.

"With your wisdom and martial prowess, you laid the foundation for our Great Tang Dynasty, and you always cared about the hardships of the people."

"He asked you this question in his dream because he hoped that you would inherit the throne and become a wise and compassionate monarch."

He cleverly interpreted Li Yuan's question, which might not have been in line with his personality, as an expectation and test for his successor, thus giving it a sense of legitimacy.

“Then,” Li Shimin leaned forward slightly, looking intently at Li Chengqian.

"Did your imperial grandfather say anything else? Or... give you any guidance?"

Li Chengqian shook his head, his face showing a hint of regret and growing confusion.

"No, Father. My grandfather just looked at me like that, then the scene appeared, and then... I woke up with a start. Even during my illness, those scenes and questions still haunted me."

He attributed all his thoughts to that unverifiable dream and the silent gaze of the Great Ancestor.

Li Shimin nodded slightly, it was impossible to tell whether he believed him or not.

He stopped dwelling on the details of the dream and began to fulfill his responsibilities as emperor and father.

He needed to give the Crown Prince a "standard answer," an interpretation of "the people" that was consistent with the foundation of the Tang Dynasty's rule.

“Brilliant! Since you are puzzled by this, I will explain it to you today.”

Li Shimin's voice became solemn and steady, carrying the unique authority of an emperor.

"The miserable plight of the common people that you saw in your dream is indeed a fact. Throughout history, even in times of peace, it has been difficult to completely avoid such suffering. This is the will of Heaven and also the common nature of humankind."

He first acknowledged the existence of the problem, but downplayed it by attributing it to "fate" and "human nature," thus downplaying the underlying institutional and structural contradictions.

"However, the way to govern a country lies in grasping the essentials and defining the boundaries and stopping disputes."

Li Shimin then shifted the focus, introducing the core theory: "Since ancient times, wise rulers have always emphasized the distinction between the 'four classes of people.' This is why Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan of Qi in achieving hegemony, and it is also the foundation upon which our Great Tang Dynasty was founded. You should know this well."

“Your subject knows that ‘scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants’ are the fundamental people of the country.”

Li Chengqian answered respectfully.

"good."

Li Shimin nodded and began to systematically expound the essence of the "Four Classes of People" from his imperial perspective.

"The 'scholar' is one who studies the Way and the arts, understands propriety and righteousness, and serves as an official or general to assist the monarch, govern the world, and educate the people. At home, he studies the classics and maintains the social order. He is the pillar of the nation and the foundation of civilization. Without scholars, the government will not be able to implement its policies, and the rites and music will collapse."

He first emphasized the importance of the "scholars," who were the skeleton and brain of the regime.

“'Agriculture' means to cultivate crops, clear fields, and produce grains, which are the source of food and clothing and the basis of taxation. When agriculture prospers, granaries are full and the country is at peace. Therefore, I have repeatedly issued edicts to encourage agriculture and sericulture, and to distribute land equally among households, with the aim of ensuring that those who cultivate have land and those who eat have grain. This is the foundation of the country and cannot be relaxed for a moment.”

Li Shimin positioned agriculture as the economic foundation and source of stability for the empire, and the policies he implemented, such as the equal-field system, were precisely aimed at maintaining the stability of this foundation.

“The ‘craftsman’ is skilled in arts and crafts, making tools and utensils, building palaces and houses, and forging weapons and armor. The skill of all craftsmen benefits the people and strengthens the military. Without craftsmen, life would be inconvenient and military preparations would not be maintained.”

"The word 'merchant' refers to the act of facilitating the exchange of goods, balancing surpluses and shortages, and promoting trade to revitalize the economy. The smooth flow of commerce ensures that goods are used to their fullest potential, goods circulate freely, markets prosper, and the national treasury can also benefit from customs duties and market taxes."

He elaborated on the roles of industry and commerce, acknowledging their necessity for social operation and national finance.

“These four classes of people each perform their duties and live their own lives, just like the four limbs of a person, none of which can be missing.”

Li Shimin concluded, his tone grand and imposing.

"The responsibility of the imperial court is to clearly define the system so that the four classes of people do not get confused and each gets what they deserve."

"The key lies in reducing taxes and levies, so that farmers can cultivate the land with peace of mind, craftsmen can focus on their skills, merchants can trade freely, and scholars can fulfill their duties faithfully."

"The key lies in suppressing powerful and corrupt officials, preventing excessive land annexation and the harm caused to the people by petty bureaucrats, so as to ensure that government orders can be effectively implemented and that benefits can be bestowed upon the people."

"The horrific scene you saw in your dream,"

Li Shimin steered the conversation back to the main topic.

"The reasons are varied. They may stem from frequent natural disasters that are beyond human control."

"Perhaps it stems from the tyranny of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, who exhausted the people's resources, leaving a legacy of suffering that continues to this day. I and my court officials are currently cleaning up this mess."

"This may be due to the lack of good governance in local areas and the oppression of local magnates, which prevented the court's good policies from reaching the common people."

He attributed the problem to historical legacies, natural disasters, and individual bureaucratic issues, rather than to potential flaws in the system itself.

"Therefore, the primary task of a ruler is not to indulge in the misery of a few individuals and add to his troubles, but to take the 'four classes of people' as the foundation, take overall control of the situation, and uphold the principles of discipline."

Li Shimin's voice carried an undeniable power.

"We must ensure that the scholar class is honest and loyal, and select truly talented people for the country; we must ensure that the equal land distribution system is effectively implemented and that farmers' livelihoods are guaranteed."

"We must guide artisans to improve their skills and encourage merchants to boost the economy. We must also strengthen oversight so that the court's benevolent policies can penetrate all obstacles and truly benefit the people."

"It requires perseverance and a balance among all parties."

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian and spoke earnestly.

"It is good that you are now aware of the people's suffering. But you must not doubt the way of the sages because of this."

"We should take this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the distinctions and relationships among the four classes of people, and learn how to use the power of the court to regulate, balance, and benefit these four classes, so that each can live in its proper place, and only then can the world enjoy lasting peace and stability."

"Those specific hardships you are worried about," Li Shimin concluded.

"It is precisely through improving this 'four-tiered' system, through diligent governance, through selecting the virtuous and capable, and through impartial law enforcement that we can gradually eliminate these problems."

"This is not something that can be accomplished in a day, nor can it be done by one person alone; it is a heavy responsibility that our Li Tang royal family bears."

Li Shimin's discourse, from the perspective of a feudal emperor, is undeniably insightful and far-sighted.

He clearly outlined an ideal blueprint for governing the country, based on the "four classes of people" and using the power of the imperial court for macro-control and management.

This contains the core logic of maintaining the stability and continuation of a dynasty.

Li Chengqian listened quietly, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

If it weren't for Li Yichen's cold analysis of "class" earlier, he would only feel that his father stood tall and saw far, with lofty aspirations, pointing out the direction for his efforts, and he would feel sincere admiration and his own insignificance.

The concept of "four classes of people" sounds so self-evident and so perfect.

However, at this moment, Li Yichen's words involuntarily surfaced in his mind: "Scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants are appearances... the class distinction is the real social structure," and "The bureaucratic gentry group often merges with landlords, and their interests often conflict with those of ordinary farmers."

He clearly recognized that his father's understanding was based on the position of the imperial rulers and was the theoretical cornerstone for maintaining the existing order, so it could not be considered wrong.

It could even be said to be the most "correct" understanding at present.

But what Li Yichen offers is a concept that can analyze social contradictions more deeply and fundamentally.

The two are not entirely contradictory, but their perspectives and depths are completely different.

His father taught him how to be a good "manager" and "balancer," while Li Yichen showed him the "structure" that needed to be changed or even shaken.

The thought of 'surpassing Father Emperor...' became increasingly clear and firm in Li Chengqian's mind.

My father was a great ruler who maintained the status quo and pioneered new paths; his civil and military achievements were nearing their peak.

If I follow the path indicated by my father, I might become a decent ruler who can maintain the status quo, but it would be extremely difficult for me to surpass him.

But what if... what if we could combine the knowledge taught by Li Yichen with the realities of the empire and try to solve those deep-seated structural problems that even our father couldn't completely resolve?

For example, how can we maintain the leading position of the "scholar" class while truly breaking the monopoly of powerful clans on official careers and allowing more talented individuals from humble backgrounds to stand out?

For example, how can we curb the deep-rooted problem of land consolidation while adhering to the principle of "agriculture as the foundation," and explore new policies that can truly enable ordinary farmers to withstand risks and live and work in peace and contentment?

For example, how can we guide the power of "industry" and "commerce" to not only serve the court and nobles, but also create wealth and convenience that benefits a wider range of people?
These ideas are still vague, but the direction is clear.

He found a field in which he could completely surpass his father—not in external military expansion, but in the depth and breadth of internal governance.

In resolving the deep-seated contradictions of the empire, and in exploring the true realization of the ideal of "Great Harmony".

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian's eyes shone with excitement and determination.

He bowed deeply, his voice clear and steady.

"Your subject... will follow your father's teachings! Your father's words are like the sun breaking through the clouds, enlightening your subject."

(End of this chapter)